JOSEPH VARGHESE

DOHA THE Indian community in Qatar bid farewell to their country’s outgoing Ambassador HE Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa at a special function held at the Concorde Hotel on Saturday.

In her farewell address, a visibly moved and emotional Wadhwa urged the community members to stay united and be proud of the rich heritage of India.

She also disclosed that a few more agreements between India and Qatar in the field of ICT and environment would be signed soon.

The farewell reception was jointly organised by the Indian apex bodies, Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Indian Community Benevolent Fund (ICBF) and Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPN).

Representatives of many of the Indian organisations, prominent community leaders and school principals were among large number of community members present during the event.

Wadhwa, who was the first female Indian ambassador to Qatar, has completed her tenure of three years and will be leaving the country by month-end to take up her new position as India’s ambassador in Japan.

In her address, she said that it had been an extremely satisfying and productive tenure in Qatar.

Relations between India and Qatar, the envoy said, had reached new heights.

“During the last three years a number of treaties and bilateral relations have been signed between India and Qatar. Very soon some more accords in areas such as ICT and environment will be signed which will further boost the relationship between both the countries,” she said.

She was also vocal about the great treatment and attention she was accorded by the government of Qatar and praised the leadership of the country.

Regarding the activities of the apex bodies of the Indian community, Wadhwa said that all the three apex bodies were doing excellent jobs.

She praised the ICBF for doing a tremendous job for the community. She also praised the selfless and devoted members of ICBF for their commendable role in meeting the community needs.

She expressed appreciation for the ICC and IBPN for providing community services as well as promoting Indian business interests in Qatar.

IBPN President Azim Abbas, ICBF President Kareem Abdullah and acting ICC President Girish Kumar also spoke on the occasion.

The three organisations presented a plaque to the envoy.